Christmas tree lighting control

ABSTRACT

A control for Christmas tree lighting wherein a plurality of varying light intensity effects are produced and in a predetermined sequential order throughout all the lighting strings of a tree to result in a twinkling or shimmering effect heretofore unobtainable with any form or combination of flasher.

United States Patent [191 Davis, Jr.

[451 Jan. 21, 1975 1 CHRISTMAS TREE LIGHTING CONTROL [76] Inventor:George B. Davis, Jr., 7512 Marbury Rd., Bethesda, Md. 20034 [22] Filed:Dec. 6, 1973 [21] Appl. No.: 422,350 g Related US. Application Data [63]Continuation-in-part of Ser. No. 338,832, March 7,

1973, Pat. NO. 3,808,450.

[52] US. Cl. 307/132, 315/185 S, 307/38 [51] Int. Cl. H051) 37/00 [58]Field of Search 323/23, 24, 25; 315/185 S;

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,793,531 2/1974 Ferrigno323/24 Primary Examiner-Herman Hohauser' [57] 7 ABSTRACT A control forChristmas tree lighting wherein a plurality of varying light intensityeffects are produced and in a predetermined sequential order throughoutall the lighting strings of a tree-to result in a twinkling orshimmering effect heretofore unobtainable with any form or combinationof flasher.

10 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures CHRISTMAS TREE LIGHTING CONTROL This is acontinuation in part of application Ser. No. 338,832 filed Mar. 7, l973,now US. Pat. No. 3,808,450.

This invention relates generally to Christmas tree lighting and moreparticularly to a Christmas tree lighting control that, when inoperation, produces a continuously changing lighting intensitythroughout all the lighting strings of a tree and in a predeterminedorder to result in a twinkling or shimmering effect rather than theconventional method of making and breaking the circuit through the lampsto produce a flashing or by so reducing the voltage thereto as toproduce a similar flashing result.

With the publics increasing desire for movement or action in Christmastree lighting, the use of string flashers or individual flasherbulbs'has become widely accepted. While such devices do relieve thelifelessness of a lighted tree, the violent action of flashing lightscan become quite annoying particularly when such flashing affects theentire string. This is generally the case even when not looking directlyat the tree. The on and off of any light source within'a room, such asthe flashing of tree lights can become quite distracting. This isparticularly true when the flashing of two or more strings reach acondition of synchronization so as to flash simultaneously. Such acondition will invariably occur when any flasher apparatus operatesindividually whether in bulbs or strings.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a new and improvedChristmas tree lighting control which, when in operation, produces aplurality of light intensity changes and as applied to all the lightingstrings of a tree and in a predetermined sequence or order.

A further object is to provide a control for Christmas tree lightingwherein the circuits to the lighting strings are never interrupted tocause flashing, but produces a continual change in lighting intensityand in such a manner as to effect a twinkling or shimmering of thelights of the entire tree in predetermined timed sequence.

Referring now to the drawings, and more. particularly to FIG. 1 thereof,wherein is-shown the assembleddevice of the present invention and aswill be generally designated 5 and to which may be connected strings ofChristmas tree lights with the lights being either of the parallel orseries wired types. The assembly 5 includes a mounting base 6 to whichthe perforated cover 7 is attached and wherein is enclosed the workingmecha nism of the device. The connector and power supply cord 8 providesmeans for electrically connecting the device to a conventional 110 volta.c. power supply source.

Extending from the side of the cover in the manner shown, is a number ofelectrical outlets 9 and into A still further object is to provide aChristmas tree I tree lighting strings simultaneously and in a manner toproduce a coordination of lighting effects between the individualstrings without materially varying the overall light intensity of thesystem.

A further object is to provide a light intensity control for Christmastree lighting which will operate equally well with lights wired eitherparelled or in series and which, if desired, may be used in combinationwith the conventional individual flasher bulb.

In order that this invention may be more readily understood, referenceis now made to the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a view in elevation of the assembled device of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a plan view, partly cut-away of the invention as assembledbeneath the cover.

FIG. 3 is an electrical schematic of the invention.

FIG. 4 is a schematic showing the position of the cam with all contactsin open position.

FIG. 5 is a plan view of the cam with two contacts of the controlclosed.

FIG. 6 is a plan view of the cam with all contacts of the control inclosed position.

12, is mounted to the bracket member 13 and secured to the base 6 as byscrews 14. Driven by the motor I2 is a cam member 17 the cams 35 ofwhich may be of any configeration suitable for closing in predeterminedsequence, contact members l8, l9, and 20 to produce the lighting effectdesired and which will hereafter be. more fully described. Contactmember l8, l9, and 20v are preferably molded within the insulating block2].

The voltage source or power supply of the device includes, along withthe line voltage input 25, solid state units 26, 27, 28, and 29 eachhaving two differing dutyl I cycle outputs 30 and 31. These units may beof any suitable duty-cycle type such as the commonly known SCR or diacand triac variety, however, certain transistor assemblies will suffice.The duty interval of the outputs 30 and 31 may, if desired, be slightlyvaried between differing units to provide for further light intensitychanges throughout the lights of the tree for a more varied and pleasingeffect.

From the electrical schematic of FIG. 3 it will be noted that the lowestduty-cycle output 30 is continuously in circuit with the lights of thestrings 33 and also with the contact member 18. This structure providesthat at all times the light intensity output of the strings will neverdrop below that established by the duty-cycle of the output 30. Thecontact member 19 is shown as electrically connected to the output 31which has a duty interval greater than that of the output 30 and therebyas contact member 18 is forced by cam 35 into electrical engagement withthe contact member 19, as illustrated in FIG. 5, the duty-cycle intervalto the lamps is increased to result in a brightening of the lamps overtheir initial luminous state. As the contacts members 18 and 19 arefurther forced by the cam into electrical contact with the contactmember 20, as in FIG. 6, line voltage from 25 is applied through thecontacts to the strings to result in full lamp brightness. During thisoperation of shunting out the various dutycycle outputs there is noflashing or flickering of the lamps of the string as would be the casewere switching employed for connecting sequentially the various voltageinputs to the light strings. The order and rate at which these contactsmembers l8, l9, and 20 are closed can be selectively established by theconfiguration of the cams 35 and the-motor speed. For example,

contacts 18 and 19 may be made to close, say twice, to

the final closing of all three contacts to produce a more staggeredlighting effect. The interval of their closing time may be varied by theshapes of the cams as related to the motor speed.

The cam member 17, as shown in FIG. 2, is preferably a one piece moldedunit secured to the motor shaft as by set-screw 34. The back-gearedmotor drive 12 rotates the cams 35, desirably, at a speed of between 3to 4 regulations per minute depending upon the configeration of thecams. The cam member 17 includes a shaft extension 36 that rotateswithin the molded contact mounting block 21. This arrangement provides arigid structure for maintaining contact members 18, 19, and

20 in proper working relation with the surfaces of the cams. A heatsink37 is positioned against the dutycycle members 26, 27, 28 and 29 asshown and against which internally the triacs of the unit are secured.The sink serves to dissipate the heat from the triacs during operationof the device. If desired, the now fixed dutycycles of the units may bealtered selectively by including an adjustable pot in the gaitingcircuit, the adjusting shafts of the pots are shown at 38 and 39. Thepots should be of a resistance value, however, to prevent redueing thelight intensity of the string by greater than 80 percent of fullbrightness.

The duty-cycle of the unit as herein referredto shall be understood tomean the ratio between the interval of the cycle the unit is on orpassing current to the of timeof the cycle when no current or relativelyno current is passing. The on and off intervals occur very rapidlyvarying into the milliseconds with the relative duration of theseconducting intervals being controlled by the design of the gate ortriggering circuit to the SCR,'triac, or such similar electronicelements of the circuitry. The conducting interval of thecycle as itrelates to the off interval, determines the relative heating and coolingtime of the incondescent lamp filament and consequently the lightintensity output of the lighting source.

While one variation of the device is herein shown, it

connected to the lowest duty-cycle output of said power supply forconnecting thereto one or more strings of Christmas tree lights, meansmovable for electrically connecting in common with the said lowestduty-cycle output the other outputs of said power supply inpredetermined sequencial order.

2. A Christmas tree lighting control as claimed in claim 1 wherein theduty-cycle to said outputs may be selectively varied.

3. A Christmas tree lighting control as claimed in claim 1 wherein theduty-cycle of said lowest output will not reduce the light intensityoutput of said Christmas tree lighting string by greater than percentfrom full brightness.

, 4. A Christmas tree lighting control as claimed in claim 1 whereinelectrical circuit between said power supply and said outlet is neverinterrupted.

5. A Christmas tree lighting control as claimed in claim 1 wherein saidmeans movable is in the form of a motor driven cam operable tointermittently close, in predetermined timed sequence, contact membersrespectively connected to the differing duty-cycle outputs of said powersupply.

6. A control for Christmas tree lighting including in combination apower supply having two or more differing duty-cycle outputs, anelectrical outlet electrically connected to the lowest duty-cycle outputof said power supply for connecting therewith one or more strings ofChristmas tree lights, means movable for intermittently connecting incommon withthe said lowest duty-cycle output the other outputs ofsaidpowersup;

ply.

7. A control for Christmas tree lighting as claimed in claim 6 whereinthe said movable means is in the form. of a motor driven cam operativeto intermittently move' said control by greater than 80% from fullbrightness.

1. A control for Christmas tree lighting including in combination apower supply having two or more differing dutycycle outputs, anelectrical outlet electrically connected to the lowest duty-cycle outputof said power supply for connecting thereto one or more strings ofChristmas tree lights, means movable for electrically connecting incommon with the said lowest duty-cycle output the other outputs of saidpower supply in predetermined sequencial order.
 2. A Christmas treelighting control as claimed in claim 1 wherein the duty-cycle to saidoutputs may be selectively varied.
 3. A Christmas tree lighting controlas claimed in claim 1 wherein the duty-cycle of said lowest output willnot reduce the light intensity output of said Christmas tree lightingstring by greater than 80 percent from full brightness.
 4. A Christmastree lighting control as claimed in claim 1 wherein electrical circuitbetween said power supply and said outlet is never interrupted.
 5. AChristmas tree lighting control as claimed in claim 1 wherein said meansmovable is in the form of a motor driven cam operable to intermittentlyclose, in predetermined timed sequence, contact members respectivelyconnected to the differing duty-cycle outputs of said power supply.
 6. Acontrol for Christmas tree lighting including in combination a powersupply having two or more differing duty-cycle outputs, an electricaloutlet electrically connected to the lowest duty-cycle output of saidpower supply for connecting therewith one or more strings of Christmastree lights, means movable for intermittently connecting in common withthe said lowest duty-cycle output the other outputs of said powersupply.
 7. A control for Christmas tree lighting as claimed in claim 6wherein the said movable means is in the form of a motor driven camoperative to intermittently move together, into and out of commonelectrical engagement, spring contact members respectively connectEd tothe differing duty-cycle outputs of said power supply.
 8. A control asclaimed in claim 7 wherein the said spring contact members are movedtogether in the order required to increase the duty-cycle to saidoutlet.
 9. A control as claimed in claim 6 wherein the circuit betweensaid power supply and said outlet is never interrupted.
 10. A control asclaimed in claim 6 wherein the light intensity to said lighting stringis never deminished by said control by greater than 80% from fullbrightness.